The coronavirus pandemic packs a one-two punch.
Attacking our health and our wallets.
Record unemployment levels are one thing.
Getting scammed while trying to protect yourself is another, as people shop online for things they can’t find in stores.
From fake N95 masks to misleading products, here are three anti-COVID products to stay away from on Amazon.
Take it from health and business experts HuffPost spoke with.
They say the third-party sellers are the problem, as some restrictions have been lifted for COVID products.
In late February, Amazon removed 1 million products for misleading claims and price gouging related to COVID-19, according to ABC News.
A common red flag; fake medical supplies like masks and face shields.
The co-founder of Fakespot, which flags fake product reviews and shady sellers tells HuffPost these listings can cost more, claim to be more effective than the competition or may be used.
A lot of products like hand sanitizer and wipes don’t meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for effectiveness.
This means people think they’re protecting themselves.
And it’s a big problem!
There was a 272% jump in counterfeit hygiene products on well-known ecommerce sites in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same time period in 2019.
That’s according to a study by online brand protection software provider Incopro.
A consumer analyst with DealNews doesn’t mince words when he says, “Not a single vitamin, supplement or medication has been proven to prevent or cure COVID-19.”
When you see products that claim to cure or prevent the virus, it’s a phony listing.
Always check for seller ratings, be cautious of new sellers and use plugins to check for price gouging.
